But it was just weeks ago that his family thought he might not survive.

Kear was at track practice Oct. 2 when one of his vaults went awry.

"Instead of flipping up and over the bar, he flipped up and over the mat," said Paula Kear, Chase's mother. "He went through his rotation the way he was supposed to, but when he looked down for the mat, there was the ground."

She said some of his fellow athletes thought he "brushed the mat, which ricocheted him into the ground."

Chase was airlifted directly from Gowans Stadium in Hutchinson to Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, in Wichita, where he was in critical condition and placed in a drug-induced coma.

"About a week after the accident, we pretty much knew he was going to survive," Paula said. "But it was another week before we knew if there was going to be brain function."

Paula said at first her son couldn't talk, but he gradually began to recognize people.

Now, Chase is walking, talking and eating on his own.

"He's making a miraculous recovery," Paula said. "The doctors can't tell us why he's done as well as he has.

"There's no scientific or medical explanation. It's a miracle."

She said Chase's memory problems are getting better every day, and he will continue with outpatient therapy.

A volunteer firefighter for the Colwich Fire Department, Chase also plans to return to school next year to finish his fire science degree, Paula said.

"He still wants to pole vault again, but I don't know," she said, noting his father, Paul Kear, was also a pole vaulter. "We haven't touched on that yet."

But she was pleased the college and track team have "welcomed him back with open arms."

Pat Becher, head track coach for HCC, has offered Chase the opportunity to be a pole-vaulting coach next year.

"It will give him something to look forward to because that's what he loves," Becher said. "He loves pole vaulting."

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How to help

Those who wish to help with Chase Kear's medical expenses can make donations to the Chase Kear Fund at Colwich City Hall, 310 S. Second St., Colwich, KS, 67030. For more information, call Colwich City Hall at (316) 796-1025.

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